The MagicBooking Blog

Read now

What Ofsted looks for in breakfast and after school clubs blog cover

MagicBooking has been the best investment our extended school club has made — saving us hours every week and letting us focus on the children.

Sue Trinder, Business Manager, St John's Infant School

Get started now or request more info

Benedict's Law: what schools and clubs need to know blog cover

Benedict's Law UK: from September 2026, schools must have a school allergy policy, anaphylaxis training for all staff, and EpiPens on site.

Read now

UK teacher pay rise 2026: what schools need to know blog cover

Advice for Schools

UK teacher pay rises 3.5% from September 2026. Average teacher salary hits £52,800. Find out what the new teacher pay scale means for school budgets.

Read now

DfE enrichment framework 2026: what schools need to know blog cover

Advice for Schools

The DfE enrichment framework was published in June 2026 with 8 benchmarks for schools in England. Find out what it means for Ofsted, how to evidence your enrichment offer, and what activity providers and after-school clubs need to do now.

Read now

PE and Sport Premium Scrapped: Schools Guide 2027 blog cover

Advice for Schools Advice for Clubs

The PE and sport premium is being replaced in 2027. Find out what the new partnerships network means for schools and sport providers, and what to do now.

Read now

Free breakfast clubs in schools: 2026 funding guide blog cover

Advice for Schools Advice for Clubs

Learn what schools free breakfast clubs mean for schools and providers in 2026. Explore free school breakfast clubs funding concerns, operational challenges, staffing pressures, and how schools are adapting breakfast provision models.

Read now

HAF programme 2026: what childcare providers need to know blog cover

Advice for Clubs

The HAF programme 2026 introduces important changes to HAF funding, eligibility, administration, and holiday provision. Learn what schools, HAF clubs, and childcare providers need to know about the Holiday Activities and Food programme and how to prepare for HAF 2026.

Read now

2026 Best Start Hubs are live: What Childcare Providers must do blog cover

Advice for Schools Advice for Clubs

Best Start family hubs are live in 2026 alongside 30 hours free childcare. Learn what childcare providers, schools, and clubs must do to manage demand, stay visible, and grow within the Best Start in Life system.

Read now

April Budget Planning: Forecasting for the UK Financial Year 2026 blog cover

Advice for Schools

Plan your April budget for the UK financial year 2026. Financial forecasting tips, budget 2026 strategy, and how to improve cash flow and reduce costs.

Read now

Cyber security in schools: Cyber attack response plan (2026 Guide) blog cover

Advice for Schools

Cyber security in schools explained. What to do after a cyber attack, ransomware recovery steps, Cyber Essentials certification, and risk assessment guidance.

Read now

MagicBooking results in numbers: No more overwhelm for schools & clubs blog cover

MagicBooking in Action

Discover MagicBooking results from real schools and clubs. See how this wraparound care booking system helps organisations save time, improve cash flow, and reduce admin.

Read now

Schools: Comparing a booking feature to a booking system blog cover

Advice for Schools

Learn what an MIS system is and how MIS integration works in schools. Discover the difference between MIS software and a purpose-built online booking system for managing registers for schools, payments, and wraparound care.

Read now

Online Safety in Schools: 2025 Compliance Guide blog cover

Advice for Schools Advice for Clubs

Online safety in schools explained. What the Online Safety Act 2025 means for compliance, governors, filtering and monitoring. Practical guide for leaders.

Read now

Ofsted Inspection Checklist 2026: Evidence to Have Ready blog cover

Advice for Schools Advice for Clubs

Use this Ofsted inspection checklist to prepare for inspection in 2026. Learn what documents Ofsted inspectors ask for, what evidence Ofsted looks for, and how to organise inspection evidence clearly and confidently.

Read now

New Ofsted framework 2026: key inspection changes explained blog cover

Advice for Schools Advice for Clubs

Understand the new Ofsted framework 2026, including grading changes, report cards, inclusion judgements, early years inspections and what schools should expect from Ofsted in 2026 and beyond.

Read now

Christmas and New Year activity ideas for schools and clubs blog cover

Advice for Schools Advice for Clubs

Discover easy Christmas activities, Christmas craft activities, and New Year's Eve activities for schools and clubs. Simple ideas to support festive programmes.

Read now

Free school meals, wraparound, & childcare changes 2026 blog cover

Advice for Schools Advice for Clubs

Learn about free school meals 2026, free breakfast club funding 2026, national wraparound childcare programme 2026, Best Start Family Hubs, HAF, NFF and key childcare changes schools must plan for.

Read now

How UK schools & clubs can increase enrollment and cash flow blog cover

Advice for Schools Advice for Clubs

Discover practical ways for UK schools and clubs to achieve UK online school enrollment increase and learn how to increase cash flow with a Class Booking System.

Read now

Digital education management: Why schools & clubs need booking systems, 2025 blog cover

MagicBooking in Action Advice for Schools Advice for Clubs

Discover how digital education management helps schools and clubs cut admin, boost parent engagement, and save hours. Learn why booking systems lead 2025 success.

Read now

25 Fun Halloween activities for schools, clubs & childcarers blog cover

Advice for Schools Advice for Clubs

Discover the best Halloween ideas for kids in schools, clubs and childcare settings - from fun Halloween games, crafts and costumes to budget-friendly food and decor. Save time on admin and bookings with MagicBooking’s school and club management software.

Read now

How 30 hours free childcare + best start hubs impact clubs blog cover

Advice for Schools Advice for Clubs

Learn how 30 hours free childcare and Best Start family hubs affect schools, wraparound, and activity clubs - and how providers can prepare with MagicBooking.

Read now

Back to school guide for teachers, clubs & parents blog cover

Advice for Schools Advice for Clubs

When do kids go back to school in 2025? Get dates, checklists, supplies, activities & tips for schools, clubs & parents. MagicBooking makes it easier.

Read now

Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025: Guide for schools, clubs & childcare cover

Advice for Schools Advice for Clubs

Stay compliant with KCSIE 2025. Discover the latest safeguarding updates, Ofsted inspection tips, and how childcare software supports safer practices.

Read now

MagicBooking's revolutionary HMRC Tax-Free Childcare payment integration blog cover

MagicBooking in Action Advice for Schools Advice for Clubs

Discover MagicBooking's seamless HMRC Tax-Free Childcare integration. Simplify payments for schools, clubs, and parents with our game-changing solution.

Read now

Top 10 tips for childcare business growth blog cover

Advice for Schools Advice for Clubs

Discover 10 expert tips to grow your childcare business. Learn how to scale operations, boost revenue, and streamline admin with the right tools.

Read now

Boost parent engagement: Club owners & teachers to parents blog cover

Advice for Schools Advice for Clubs

Discover top parent engagement best practices for schools, clubs & MATs. Boost retention, improve communication with parents & download our free playbook.

Read now

Best summer holiday activities for kids & families 2025 blog cover

Advice for Schools

Discover 50+ free and low-cost summer activities for kids of all ages, plus tips for providers and camps. Includes London ideas, EYFS fun, and SEO tips!

Read now

Ofsted inspection handbook: How schools & clubs can prepare blog cover

Advice for Schools Advice for Clubs

Worried about your next Ofsted inspection? This guide helps schools and clubs understand the process, grading, and how to be fully prepared.

Read now

Holiday Club Business tips: How to See Success ALL YEAR blog cover

Advice for Clubs

Discover how to run a successful holiday club all year with tips on boosting attendance, marketing strategies, managing cash flow, and using MagicBooking.

Read now

2025 updates to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) blog cover

Advice for Schools Advice for Clubs

Explore funding options for free breakfast clubs in schools and childcare providers. Learn about government schemes, grants, and tips to run a successful club.

Read now

Advice for Schools Advice for Clubs

Stay ahead of the EYFS 2025 safeguarding changes. Discover key updates on safer recruitment, child absence policies, first aid requirements, and training.

Read now

Top 7 trends in wraparound childcare to watch in 2025 blog cover

Advice for Schools Advice for Clubs

Stay ahead of the curve with 2025’s biggest wraparound childcare trends. Discover what’s changing in after-school care and how your school or club can adapt.

Read now

How to Start or Expand Wraparound Care in 2025: Key Benefits & Available Financial Support for Schools and Clubs blog cover

Advice for Schools Advice for Clubs

Discover how MagicBooking simplifies wraparound care management. Save time, increase revenue, and improve satisfaction with our user-friendly platform tailored for schools, clubs, and childcare providers.

Read now

How MagicBooking empowers schools and clubs: Insights from our 2024 client experience report blog cover

Advice for Schools Advice for Clubs

Discover how MagicBooking empowers schools and clubs. Insights from our 2024 client experience report reveal how we save time, reduce costs, boost parent satisfaction, and transform operations for schools and childcare organisations.

Read now

Efficient customer communication tools for schools and clubs blog cover

Advice for Schools Advice for Clubs

Learn how to grow and scale your childcare business, club, or school programme. Discover strategies for marketing, operations, financial management, and leveraging technology.

Read now

Reducing admin time in school and club management blog cover

Advice for Schools Advice for Clubs

Discover expert tips, tools, and workflows to reduce admin time for schools and clubs, allowing you to focus on growth and support for students.

Read now

Advice for Schools

Learn how schools can increase revenue by implementing in-house wraparound care. Discover tips on reducing admin time, hiring staff, and utilizing government schemes with MagicBooking.

Read now

Cashless future for schools and clubs blog cover

Advice for Schools Advice for Clubs

Discover the benefits of a cashless future for schools and after-school clubs. Learn how cashless payment systems can save time, improve security, reduce admin, and enhance parent satisfaction.